In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease. In 1998 I founded The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore!, and I am the co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of Journal of Gluten Sensitivity.

Celiac.com 01/12/2003 - Background and Aims:
Celiac disease is the most common severe food intolerance in the Western
world and is due to gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible children
and adults. Intestinal biopsy is the golden standard for evaluation of
mucosal damage associated with celiac disease. Gluten-free diet is the
key treatment for celiac disease. Data on the long-term control of celiac
disease are few and limited to small series of patients. The study reports
data on the control of celiac disease and on its correlates in a large
cohort of celiac adults during long-term treatment with gluten-free diet.

Methods: The study cohort comprises 91 men and 299 women having undergone
treatment with a gluten-free diet for at least 2 years and with complete
records for visits at the time of diagnosis of celiac disease (baseline).
Data collection included gender, age, education, weight, bowel habit,
blood hemoglobin, plasma albumin and cholesterol, serum antiendomysium
antibodies (EMA), dietary compliance to gluten-free diet (coded as good,
low, or very low), and intestinal damage at biopsy (coded as absent, mild,
or severe).

Conclusions: Celiac disease is often poorly controlled in the majority
of patients on long-term treatment with a gluten-free diet as demonstrated
by intestinal biopsy. Lack of adherence to strict gluten-free diet is
the main reason of poorly controlled disease in adults. Laboratory and
clinical information have a high positive predictive value and low negative
predictive value for intestinal damage on long-term treatment. Dietary
compliance as assessed by interview is the best marker of celiac disease
control due to low cost, noninvasivity, and strong correlation with intestinal
damage. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel